|
|
Posts: 157
| So I have an auto pilot V2 that came with my boat. I just got it put on the other day, and took it for a test ride. I would get going in a direction and hit the autopilot and it would go straight for a bit and then start spinning a 360??? It was really weird. In addition to the the previous owner attached a co-pilot, but I do not have a remote. Could this have anything to do with it? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1268
Location: Walker, MN | I'm no expert but I have had this happen many times when the batteries get low. It could be a lac of power to the unit or it could be the foot pad. I have had to replace many footpads on these things. The autopilot is worth it imo. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 157
| That is the thing, I just got a brand new wireless footpad for this. When you replace the footpad the issue goes away? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1285
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | Sounds like the compass unit in the head is bad. It's an easy replacement and available at most repair centers. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2097
| Or your shaft could be bent a little. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 87
Location: Red Wing, Minnesota | gundog870 - 4/17/2013 8:52 AM
So I have an auto pilot V2 that came with my boat. I just got it put on the other day, and took it for a test ride. I would get going in a direction and hit the autopilot and it would go straight for a bit and then start spinning a 360??? It was really weird. In addition to the the previous owner attached a co-pilot, but I do not have a remote. Could this have anything to do with it?
It's NOT the co-pilot. It's the compass. I had the same motor with a co-pilot installed. It spun before it was installed.
I am assuming that your motor stops spinning when you tap the foot pedal in the opposite direction of the spin.
My experience with the same motor:
It happened most often on windy/wavy days.
It would happen on dead flat calm days occasionally.
It would happen on fully charged batteries.
My troller was mounted LEVEL on the bow. (supposedly, poorly mounted motors would make it worse)
I never had to replace my foot pad. (corded)
What you are experiencing is not uncommon for these motors.
I lived with it until I sold it. (8 years) To me, the advantages of auto-pilot outweighed the only gripe I ever had with it.
If you want to eliminate the problem, buy a Terrova. It hasn't happened once in the two years I've owned it. If anyone has had it happen on their Terrova, I'd be curious to know.
Hope this helps.
Edited by Spallgard 4/18/2013 9:04 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1268
Location: Walker, MN | I have that problem with my terrova... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | My Terrova has freaked out a time or 2 and know a couple friends thats had theres turn like that to... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1268
Location: Walker, MN | The frusterating part is that it doesn't happen enough to make me replace the compass unit or auto pilot. Come to think of it I have had this problem off and on with 3 different units. One time for sure a new foot pedal fixed it. The Autopilot is still worth it though. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 190
| Definitely the compass. With all the banging a trolling motor does on the front of the boat, the compass somehow loses the oil that floats the magnet. The compass controls the direction the unit thinks it is going. When the oil gets low (through evaporation through cracks) the compass bottoms out on windy days or just gets hung on something because the level is low. The result is spinning or not finding it sense of direction. I replaced my head in the summer of last year, when I took it out their was less than a 1/4 inch. If you took the unit and tilted it more than 2-5 degrees she would not spin to point in the right direction. The replacement unit was filled to the top with oil. It is a simple check. Unscrew the 4 screws holding on the top of the unit. Check the compass, pull it out to inspect it. check oil level, spin is in circle make sure no hang ups, tilt it and do the same. It will be pretty cut and dry if that is the issue. You will notice it not moving correctly.
I hope that helps |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5874
| Take it to an AUTHORIZED Minn Kota repair dealer, and have him calibrate the compass.
If you were close to Milwaukee, I'd say take it to Ed Schilling in West Allis. He calibrated mine, right after I got it, and it was perfect for 5 years till I sold that boat and beyond.
Not sure who it would be in IA.
Edited by Shep 4/18/2013 11:32 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 376
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin | ^^^ Ed Schilling retired about a year ago.... |
|
| |
